Mayo’s first columbarium opens in Crossmolina

Mayo’s first municipal columbarium wall has been officially opened at St Tiernan’s Cemetery in Crossmolina, giving families in the area a new option for the interment of ashes.

A columbarium is a wall or structure designed to hold cremation urns, providing a dedicated place for families to remember and honour loved ones.

The facility responds to growing demand for cremation services, and to the need for graveyards to offer somewhere to place ashes.

The Mayo News understands that there have already been expressions of interests from families to have their loved ones interred in the columbarium.

The project was designed and tendered in-house by Mayo County Council’s environment section and represents an investment to date of €60,000. The first wall provides 20 niches, each able to hold up to two adult urns and a smaller urn if needed.

Civil works have already been completed on either side to allow for two further walls, which will bring the overall capacity to 60 niches.

“Magnificent milestone”

Cllr Annie May Reape, Cathaoirleach of the Ballina Municipal District, officially opened the columbarium and described it as a “magnificent milestone” that reflects the changing needs of the community.

“As the first project of its kind delivered by my county council, it also sets an important benchmark for cemetery services across the county,” the Ballina politician said.

Cllr Michael Loftus said the facility would offer families a new option for commemorating those who have died and would serve the community for generations to come.

Cllr Loftus told The Mayo News that he was “absolutely thrilled here in Crossmolina was chosen for the Columbarium.”

He highlighted the hard work of the graveyard committee that we have here in Crossmolina, Siobhan Gough, Geraldine Mullen and Breeda Mulkearns, “who have worked so hard over the last number of years with Mayo County Council to achieve what we have done today.”

There was also universal praise for the graveyard’s caretaker, Sean Kean, Martin Carolan and Bridie Tomas on the RSS (Rural and Social Scheme).

Committee’s long campaign

The project grew out of years of work by the St Tiernan Cemetery Committee. Chairperson Siobhan Gough said the committee first discussed a columbarium soon after it was formed in 2008, but the idea did not progress at the time. When the committee noticed more people choosing cremation, it took the idea up again.

Two members travelled to Shannon, the only columbarium they knew of on this side of the country. Its 462 niches, she said, were not what Crossmolina needed. A visit to a smaller facility in Galway proved a more realistic model.

“We thought then at the time that that task was not insurmountable, and so we approached Mayo County Council again,” Ms Gough said. Working with Cllr Loftus and council officials Ann Moore, Tom O’Donnell and Shane Lavelle, the committee saw the project through. “We are honoured to have been trusted by Mayo County Council and to be allowed to work so closely with them in order to see our hopes come to fruition,” she said.

Wider investment in burial grounds

Joanne Grehan, Deputy Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, said the opening was significant for the whole county as well as for Crossmolina.

“It represents an important step forward in broadening the choices available to individuals and families in how they wish to be laid to rest, and in how those closest to them can remember, honour, and celebrate their lives,” she said. “Traditions and preferences evolve, and it’s important that we, as a local authority, respond to those changing needs.”

Praising Ms Gough, she added: “When you have a powerhouse like that, and you have Councillor Michael Loftus and Councillor Annie May Reape supporting her, well, it’s hard to say no.”

She also credited committee members Geraldine Mullen and Breeda Mulkearns for their dedication.

Ms Grehan said the columbarium forms part of wider work by the council, which will invest up to €5 million across burial grounds in the county between now and 2028.

The top Council official also recognised the “energy and commitment” of Crossmolina-based Councilor Michael Loftus, and praised his continued commitment for championing the needs of Crossmolina.

Blessing

Fr Francis Judge, parish priest in Crossmolina, led a prayer service to bless and dedicate the columbarium.

He described it as “a place of peace and dignity, where families can come to remember, to pray, and to find comfort.” He also thanked the cemetery committee workers, saying “they practically live here.”

The ceremony concluded with a formal blessing intended to bring comfort to families visiting their loved ones for generations to come.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme